Angelina Jolie spoke out in this week's Entertainment Weekly about life after her preventive double mastectomy, saying that she was very happy she made the decision and warmed by all the support she's received.
In May of last year, Jolie published an op-ed in the New York Times titled "My Medical Choice," which detailed her decision to undergo a preventive double mastectomy after finding out she carried a "faulty" BRCA1 gene. The gene increased her chances of getting breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
"My doctors estimated that I had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer, although the risk is different in the case of each woman," she wrote. She decided to undergo the preventive procedure, and wrote candidly about her experience in the months after. She also encouraged women to get tested for the gene to learn about their levels of risk. "For any woman reading this, I hope it helps you to know you have options," she wrote.
In a lengthy interview with EW, Jolie spoke for the first time about her experience since going public with news of her surgery. "I'm very happy I made the decision," Jolie told EW, perThe Huffington Post. "I feel very, very close—much closer—to other women, and women who are going through the same thing. Wherever I go, usually I run into women and we talk about health issues, women's issues, breast cancer, ovarian cancer."
In December 2013, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended that women who have family members with breast and ovarian cancers get tested for harmful BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations.
To learn more about genetic testing, click here.
Related Stories
The Year After: What They Didn't Tell You About Surviving Cancer
-
Prince William and Prince Harry Rift: "Happy Families Are Not a Game That Everyone Can Play," Says ExpertYeesh.
-
Pierce Brosnan Gave His Wife Keely 60 Roses for Her 60th Birthday
These two!!!
-
Travis Kelce Jerseys Have Seen a "400% Spike in Sales" Amid Rumored Taylor Swift Romance
The power this woman has...
-
Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.
-
The 78 Best Celebrity Couple Halloween Costumes of All Time
Honestly, we're impressed.
-
Super Rare Photos of Queen Elizabeth as a Young Woman
From childhood snapshots to portraits as a young princess, beautiful and rare photos of the late Queen Elizabeth as a young woman.
-
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla's Relationship: A Timeline
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles has ascended to the throne as king.
-
Who Is Next in Line for the British Throne, Explained
And yes—Harry and Archie are still in the line of succession.
-
Who Is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Fiancé Riley Roberts?
AOC's husband-to-be is an "easygoing redhead" who lives with her in D.C.
-
68 Times the Kardashians Posed Fully Nude and Owned It
And we mean fully nude—as in, not a shred of clothing.
-
Who Is Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles's Fiancé and NFL Player?
"The easiest yes!" Simone wrote about the couple's engagement.
